they have the right to tell them who can sponsor them and who can't. they don't want their product being associated with a certain sponsor, then that's their right.

I don't believe that at all.

I'm sure a lot of these guys are signing with the UFC without a REAL agent, so it's possible with some fighters, but I don't see any decent agent letting something like that fly. They would not be a very good agent if they let that happen to one of their fighters.

I can understand the UFC not letting certain sponsors of fighters have their logos be aired on the broadcast IF it presents a direct conflict of interest with a UFC sponsor. However if the UFC is demanding a "fee" from the companies who sponsor fighters just because they can, then that is just wrong.

One of the primary arguments Dana has made, when talking about fighters pay, is that the fighters make good money from their sponsors as well. Now, the UFC wants a cut of the action, and that is taking money right out of the pocket of the fighters. Ultimately, there will be less outside sponsors, and the UFC will have even more control of the industry.

This is NOT something that moves the sport closer to the mainstream, or closer to better compensation for fighters. This is a move that is designed to put more money in the pockets of the people at the top of the food chain, Dana and the Fertitas. Not really a big surprise though, this is just another brick in the wall of cut-throat business practices coming out of the mother-ship of MMA in Las Vegas.